Leapster or Vsmile

[antsss]

I am trying to decide between the Leapster and Vsmile for my DS5. I don't care about TV hookup. Just want to use them as handheld games. Both are pricey so I want to be sure we choose the right one. Does anyone have any opinions on either of these? What about the software?

Thanks!!

 

[cindermomma]

Hi there! Our DS(5) received the leapster from Santa Claus last year and LOVES it! He takes it on EVERY car ride we go on. The software for it is like $20 a piece at Walmart. They have a lot of nice software, his faves are spongebob and tad on the farm. It takes 4 AA batteries. We have replaced them 3 times since last Christmas. You can also buy a recharger for it to take the place of the batteries. We bought him the case for it to keep it from getting scatches and there is also a pouch on it to hold his games. I would recommend this game system to anyone! I am sure that they are both nice though! Good luck shopping!

 

[campingcorgi]

They both seem nice. We have the tv vsmile and will be getting the handheld one at Christmas. We've had Leapster for several years. I think she (5 1/2) prefers vsmile right now. Actually, she prefers the Gameboy but that's another topic.....

 

[disneymac]

Leapster is on sale at Walmart for $49.99 right now...

 

[Atotty]

We have both. Leapster is the winner at our house.

 

[ntburns22]

We have the Vsmile with the TV hook up. DD5 loves it. She will sit all day and play the Disney games like The Little Mermaid and The Lion King if we would let her. Her Christmas wish list is more Disney Vsmile games.

 

[DazedandConfused]

Another Thumbs up for Leapster! My kids both 5 and 8 y.o. boys love it! They each have their own and love them. Use them almost everyday since last Christmas. We bought the recharging docks and it saves a bunch on batteries. These were the best Christmas presents ever. I don't think you'll be dissapointed. - One note: We don;t have any video games so the leapster is the next best thing so that is maybe why my kids use them still. Friends of ours bought one for thier son 6 y.o. but he has a video game so he doesn't use the leaoster as much as my kids. HTH.

 

[marcyinPA]

My ds 6 got his Leapster from Santa last Christmas (he was 5 at the time). "Santa" got a great deal from Sam's Club...the Leapster, A/C adapter, case, headphones, and two games for $100.

He loves it and plays it on all long car trips. The headphones are GREAT...no fighting with his brother about the volume!

My ds10 has a Gameboy, and my 6 y/o likes that alot too, but I prefer him to play the educational games.

 

[WeLoveTheMouse]

We bought a Pixter & a Leapster for Christmas last year for our then 6 & 3 year olds. We had to go buy another Leapster to keep peace. Leapster Rules!

 

[LynnTH]

I would go with the Leapster. My DS6 and DD4 each got one for Christmas last year and they both use them all the time. I was looking at the V-Smile also and the games they have only go to age 7 or so, where the leapster has games for older kids also - so I think it grows with them more.

 

[kimwim8]

We have both in our house. We have 4 or 5 games for each system. In my opinion - Leapster is more educational (while the kids feel like they are playing video games), whereas the Vsmile is more of just video games. So it depends on what you're looking for.

 

[beattyfamily]

I have a question. I have a 6 and 9 year old. Are these two systems for younger kids? Maybe my almost 6 year old? I think maybe they are too young for my 9 year old. I was looking at games yesterday and they all seemed to be for younger ones.

Anyones have any suggestions for a 9 year old? Or should I just get her more Gameboy games since she has a game boy?

Thanks for any input.

 

[antsss]

Thanks to all for the great info!

I just ordered two of the red leapsters with the case (just $54.99 each) plus the recharger ($24.99) and two cartridges ($24.99 each) and with the GEFFRYBDYAAC discount I saved over $60. And the shipping is free.

I'm a happy girl. The Christmas shopping has begun...............

 

[HayGan]

Definately the Leapster!!!

My kids have both. The V-Smile has been used about 5 times since Christmas. The leapsters get used EVERY day!!!

 

[scrappinmom]

ok , i'm convinced...i want a leapster too....where did you order yours? & what's the discount code?

 

[KerriMc]

Oh thanks for asking this question!!! I had noticed the vsmile and was debating about it, then I saw the Leapster at Walmart and didn't know which I should pick!! I think I will go with Leapster, as I prefer some educational value to what she does. She is going to be 5 in March ... so I think she will like it! Although .... we haven't yet had a LeapPad (we had the My First LeapPad, but not the next one up) ... maybe I should go with this first??? And do Leapster for her birthday???

Oh ... the decisions!!

Kerri

 

[CharlesTD]

Our kids all prefer the gameboy advance micro our 9 and 4 years old especially like them they also have the GBadvance and the GBA SP. they never liked the leapfrog stuff or the v tech stuff. The girls love the polly pockets games and teh Disney games for them and the barbie ones. Our son like the Mickey games and the reader rabbit games.

 

[marcyinPA]

I have a question. I have a 6 and 9 year old. Are these two systems for younger kids? Maybe my almost 6 year old? I think maybe they are too young for my 9 year old. I was looking at games yesterday and they all seemed to be for younger ones.

Anyones have any suggestions for a 9 year old? Or should I just get her more Gameboy games since she has a game boy?

Thanks for any input.

I think the 9 year old is too old. My DS is 10, and although he'll play with the Leapster (my 6 y/o's), it's really beyond him, iykwim? I'd stick with the Gameboy for the older one.

Marcy

 

[marcyinPA]

Oh thanks for asking this question!!! I had noticed the vsmile and was debating about it, then I saw the Leapster at Walmart and didn't know which I should pick!! I think I will go with Leapster, as I prefer some educational value to what she does. She is going to be 5 in March ... so I think she will like it! Although .... we haven't yet had a LeapPad (we had the My First LeapPad, but not the next one up) ... maybe I should go with this first??? And do Leapster for her birthday???

Oh ... the decisions!!

Kerri

We have a Leap Pad and the Leapster. The Leapster definitely gets more playing time than the Leap Pad. My 6 y/o finds the Leap Pad kind of boring. HTH's!

 

[KPmom]

My 4 year old dd has the portable V.smile and the TV V.smile, she plays with the portable one way more than the original one. She has several games and asked for the new alladin game from Santa. There are several new games with more advanced skill requirements, like maps, and money. I like the fact that it can be taken to grandma's and hooked to the tv there or played quietly in the car. My dd has the case and we are getting the recharger for christmas, we are currently using rechareable batteries. It is also adaptable for left or right handed players. I vote for the V.smile. ~Mandy